Delhi High Court restrains Sunjay Kapur's widow from estate transfers, backs children's claim
Synopsis
The Delhi High Court has effectively sided with Sunjay Kapur's children from his marriage to Karisma Kapoor, freezing a ₹30,000-crore estate and restraining his widow from transferring assets. The court flagged suspicious circumstances around a will dated March 2025 that would have given everything to Priya Kapur—and placed the burden on her to disprove forgery. The trial will determine if the will is genuine or a product of conspiracy.
Key Takeaways
Delhi High Court granted interim relief to Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur , children of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur .
Justice Jyoti Singh restrained widow Priya Kapur from transferring, pledging, or altering equity in Sunjay Kapur's Indian companies and bank accounts.
The children have challenged a March 21, 2025 will, claiming it was forged and the product of criminal conspiracy.
The disputed estate is valued at approximately ₹30,000 crore .
Court noted suspicious circumstances surrounding the will; Priya Kapur bears the onus to dispel them.
Final determination will come at trial.
A connected defamation suit by Priya Kapur against Mandhira Kapur Smith seeks ₹20 crore in damages.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur, the two children of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur from his marriage to Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor, restraining his widow Priya Kapur from dissipating or transferring key portions of his estate during the pendency of a family inheritance dispute. Justice Jyoti Singh held that the estate must be preserved, noting that suspicious circumstances surrounding a purported will dated 21 March 2025 had been raised by the plaintiffs and Sunjay Kapur's mother, Rani Kapur.
Court's Key Orders
Justice Singh restrained Priya Kapur from alienating, transferring, pledging, or altering the equity and shareholding structure in Sunjay Kapur's Indian companies. The widow has also been barred from withdrawing provident fund amounts, disposing of personal effects, artworks, or cryptocurrencies linked to the deceased's estate. Bank account withdrawals from specified Indian accounts are prohibited except to discharge liabilities arising from the divorce settlement between Sunjay Kapur and Karisma Kapoor. Restrictions have also been imposed on foreign bank accounts and crypto holdings, though the court clarified it lacks jurisdiction over immovable foreign assets.
The Inheritance Dispute
Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur have filed suit seeking a share in their father's personal estate, estimated at around ₹30,000 crore. They have challenged the March 21, 2025 will, which purportedly bequeaths the entirety of Sunjay Kapur's personal estate to Priya Kapur, terming it forged and the product of criminal conspiracy aimed at excluding them and their grandmother. The siblings have sought one-fifth share each, claiming entitlement as Class-I legal heirs and asserting they remained in regular contact with their father through meetings, holidays, and electronic communication.
Allegations of Tampering
During earlier hearings, counsel for the children alleged that the purported will was tampered with when Sunjay Kapur was on holiday with his son. They further alleged that a person allegedly involved in modifying the document was appointed as a company director a day after his death. Justice Singh noted that the onus to dispel suspicions surrounding the will's authenticity lies on Priya Kapur, while clarifying that the question of the will's genuineness and validity would ultimately be determined during trial.
Background: Sunjay Kapur's Death
Sunjay Kapur, the former husband of Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor, died in June 2025 at the age of 53 after reportedly suffering a heart attack while playing polo in the United Kingdom. The industrialist had been married to Karisma Kapoor from 2003 to 2016, during which the two children were born.
Connected Defamation Proceedings
In a related development, the Delhi High Court has also been hearing a civil defamation suit filed by Priya Kapur against Mandhira Kapur Smith, Sunjay Kapur's sister, seeking ₹20 crore in damages. Justice Mini Pushkarna, while hearing the case, orally observed that both sides must conduct themselves with dignity and exercise restraint in making direct or indirect public remarks pending further proceedings.
Point of View
Justice Singh has effectively signalled scepticism toward the March 2025 will—even before trial. The court's observation that a director was appointed a day after Sunjay Kapur's death adds weight to tampering allegations. For Karisma Kapoor's children, this is a procedural victory that preserves their claim; for Priya Kapur, it is a steep uphill battle to rehabilitate the will's credibility. The defamation suit running in parallel suggests this dispute will remain acrimonious through trial and likely beyond.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What interim relief did the Delhi High Court grant to Sunjay Kapur's children?
The court restrained widow Priya Kapur from alienating, transferring, pledging, or altering equity in Sunjay Kapur's Indian companies, from withdrawing provident funds, disposing of personal effects, artworks, or cryptocurrencies, and from withdrawing from specified bank accounts except for liabilities tied to the children's divorce settlement. The court also imposed restrictions on foreign bank accounts and crypto holdings.
Why did the court find suspicious circumstances around the will?
The children alleged that the March 21, 2025 will, which bequeaths the entire estate to Priya Kapur, was tampered with while Sunjay Kapur was on holiday with his son. They further alleged that a person involved in modifying the document was appointed as a company director a day after his death. Justice Singh noted these allegations raised prima facie suspicion and placed the onus on Priya Kapur to dispel them.
What is the value of the disputed estate?
The personal estate of Sunjay Kapur is estimated to be worth around ₹30,000 crore. Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur are seeking one-fifth share each as Class-I legal heirs.
When did Sunjay Kapur die and how?
Sunjay Kapur, the former husband of Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor, died in June 2025 at age 53 after reportedly suffering a heart attack while playing polo in the United Kingdom.
Is there a defamation case linked to this dispute?
Yes. Priya Kapur has filed a civil defamation suit against Mandhira Kapur Smith, Sunjay Kapur's sister, seeking ₹20 crore in damages. The Delhi High Court has directed both sides to refrain from making public statements against each other and to conduct themselves with dignity pending further proceedings.
